Are you a technician servicing a Fire Alarm System on behalf of a property owner?
The property owner must notify the Edmonton Fire Drill Line at 780-414-7332 before beginning any work which might activate an Unwanted Alarm. This is recommended to be at least 15-30 minutes prior to any work occurring.
If you are running a fire drill in a multi-unit residence, please consider notifying residents so they know not to call 9-1-1 in regards to the fire drill. These calls for non-emergency events can add pressure to our Emergency Communications Services.
Read the FAQs at the bottom of this page for more information.
Fire Alarm System Responsibilities
If an Alarm Business is responsible for a Fire Alarm System, please follow these notification steps before testing or performing work which might activate an Unwanted Alarm:
- Property Owner: Notify your Alarm Business before any work or testing begins.
- Alarm Business: Once notified by the property owner, contact the City directly via the Fire Drill Line at 780-414-7332.
Fines for Unwanted Alarms
An Unwanted Alarm is the activation of any Fire Alarm System that results in Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responding where no actual danger or possible danger to the safety, health and welfare of people, property or the environment exists.
Unwanted Alarms impact Edmonton Fire Rescue Services’ ability to respond to actual emergencies and create complacent public behaviour towards potential emergencies.
Approximately 90% of alarm calls require no emergency response and are considered Unwanted Alarms.
If Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responds to an Unwanted Alarm at your property, fees may apply starting on the second response within a rolling 12-month period.
| Response Number (Within 12 Months) | Residential | Non Residential |
|---|---|---|
| First Alarm | no charge | no charge |
| Second Alarm | $117 | $451 |
| Third Alarm | $576 | $897.50 |
| Fourth and Subsequent Alarms | $1,147 | $1,792.50 |
How much are the fees associated with security alarms?
| Residential | Non-Residential |
|---|---|
| $1,147 | $1,792.50 |
How To Prevent Unwanted Alarms
Visit Preventing Unwanted Alarms for more information and review our Unwanted Alarm Prevention Checklist.
Disputing an Unwanted Alarm Fee
If you received a fee invoice for an Unwanted Alarm and would like to request a waiver of the fee, you must submit an Unwanted Alarm Fee Waiver Request online within 14 days of the invoice date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit Preventing Unwanted Alarms to find out ways to reduce unwanted alarms.
An unwanted alarm means the activation of a Fire Alarm System to any type of property, regardless of how caused, as a result of which a fire rescue services response is provided where no actual danger or possible danger to the safety, health and welfare of people, property or the environment exists
Malicious Alarm: An unwanted activation of an alarm-initiating device caused by a person acting with malice.
Nuisance Alarm: An unwanted activation of a signalling system or an alarm-initiating device in response to a stimulus or condition that is not the result of a potentially hazardous condition
Unintentional Alarm: An unwanted activation of an alarm-initiating device caused by a person acting without malice.
Unknown Alarm: An unwanted activation of an alarm-initiating device or system output function where the cause has not been identified.
A Fire Alarm System means any mechanical or electrical device which is designed or used for the detection and alert of heat, smoke or fire.
A security alarm means an alarm system intended to detect unauthorized entry to a premises or to alert people to the commission of an unlawful act, or both.
Payment instructions will be provided on the invoice received.
Ensure those in care and control of the property understand the roles and responsibilities surrounding unwanted alarms and how to prevent them.
An Edmonton Fire response occurs when a fire alarm system is activated. There may be times when a property has its alarm system programmed to activate a fire response and police response when an intrusion alarm occurs (for example break and enter). Alarm system users should discuss responses with their monitoring companies and ensure Edmonton Fire Rescue is not dispatched for an intrusion or glass break alarm.
Submit an Unwanted Alarm Fine Waiver Request online within 14 days of receiving the invoice, and provide evidence that supports your submission. A review will be conducted and a response provided within 60 days of the date the City has received the evidence.
The property owner must notify the Edmonton Fire Drill Line at 780-414-7332 before beginning any work which might activate an Unwanted Alarm. This is recommended to be at least 15-30 minutes prior to any work occurring.
Contact Us
Fire Drill Line
Phone 780-414-7332